Trending toward greatness?

(May 25, 2007) -- Two years ago, the Indianapolis Colts cruised to a 13-0 start and finished the season an NFL-best 14-2. Those Colts were upset in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Inevitably, the Colts could not match that record in 2006 (finishing 12-4), but the team used the experience of the previous season's disappointment and got hot in the playoffs on the way to the Colts' first Super Bowl victory in 35 years.

Three seasons ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers crushed the opposition on the way to an even more impressive mark of 15-1. That team was also upset in the divisional round of the playoffs. But like the Colts, the Steelers followed up that disappointment with a worse record (11-5) but a much sweeter end result -- a victory in Super Bowl XL.

One might see where this is headed already. For three consecutive Super Bowls, the team with the best record in the league the previous season has gone on to win it all the next year (New England won Super Bowl XXXIX after finishing 14-2 in 2003). So if the trend holds up, that means the owner of last season's best record will win Super Bowl XLII this year.

That team happens to be the San Diego Chargers.

In 2006, San Diego rolled through the regular season on the strength of a record year from star running back LaDainian Tomlinson and finished an NFL-best 14-2. The Chargers lost two games by a total of six points, both on the road, while fielding the top scoring offense in the league (30.8 points per game).

Yeah, respect the Colts and Pats....but don't fear them. I think the first month of the season will tell alot of where this team could go. If they can sneak out of Foxboro with a W, that will be one monkey off their back as they begin to gain momentum toward the playoffs........yeah, yeah, I know the money won't be completely off their back until they beat the Colts or Pats in the playoffs....they have beaten both in the regular season in recent years.

Norvel will have our running game ready for the playoffs......Cottrell, Rivera and Bradley will have our D ready to dominate.......I see injuries as the only thing in our way to the Lombardi. :icon_toast: